Experimental determination of the paraxial-vectorial limit of light-matter interactions

Descrizione del progetto

Gira e gira: studi sulla chiralità e sulle interazioni tra luce e materia

Anche se molte persone hanno un vago ricordo dalla chimica del liceo del concetto di chiralità in relazione alle molecole, l’idea che la luce possa essere anche chirale indurrebbe probabilmente degli sguardi vuoti. La luce, infatti, ha sia un momento angolare che chirale. Il momento angolare può essere utilizzato per indirizzare la luce nei circuiti nanofotonici, mentre la chiralità ottica può essere sfruttata per discriminare tra le molecole chirali. L’intrigante interazione tra il momento angolare e la sua applicazione alle interazioni luce-materia è il fulcro del progetto LIGHTMATT-EXPLORER, finanziato dall’UE. Il team prevede di caratterizzare le nanostrutture in base al tipo di interazione luce-materia in corso e di creare una tabella di ricerca per classificare le nanostrutture in futuro.

Obiettivo

The aim of this proposal is to study the transition between the scalar an vectorial regimes of light-matter interactions and show that its knowledge can be used to create a chirality-discriminating device. For that, the scalar-vectorial transition will be studied for three conceptually different nanostructures. The study will be carried out with a technique developed by the ER: vortex beam-induced circular dichroism. The findings of the study will be given by means of three look-up-tables, one for each kind of nanostructure. These look-up-tables will allow any light-scientist working with similar nanostructures to identify the regime (scalar/vectorial) in which their light-matter interactions are taking place. The results of this project will improve our fundamental understanding of light-matter interactions. This knowledge will add a new dimension into the characterization of complex 2D and 3D nanostructures. To show the potential of this characterization, at the end of the project we will use the look-up-table of a 3D plasmonic vortex to design a device that efficiently discriminates the chirality of molecules.
The project has all the ideal elements to fulfill its goals. On one hand, the ER is already a scientific expert in light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. On the other hand, the Plasmon Nanotechnologies group at IIT, with its world-class laboratories and clean rooms provides an extraordinary scientific environment for the ER to develop his career path. In particular, it is expected that the ER learns many different nanofabrication techniques. Thus, thanks to this action, the ER will become a preeminent scientist with a unique set of skills combining nanofabrication, optical manipulation/measurements and simulations/theoretical work. This will place him in an advantageous position to become a world leader in nano-optics. The supervision and expertise of Dr. De Angelis will ensure that these goals are reached.